Data privacy while hobbying - a guide

[tree!]

Thought I'd put together a short guide on some of the preventative measures I take while hobbying to keep myself protect my privacy.
Feel free to add any other points you may have - the hope is that this thread'll help save someone somewhere at some time.

First things first: Google is the enemy
When you dig into how much data Google has about you it's more than a little worrying.

If you go to timeline.google.com - you'll notice that you're pretty much low-jacked anytime you have your phone on you.
All your Web / YouTube Activity is also saved anytime you're signed into your phone and you use the browser.

This is the portal you can use to see the different kinds of data Google has about your account:
https://myactivity.google.com/more-activity

You can clear the data from there / disable collection -- but frankly, I don't trust Google that they're not going to change the settings / add some new settings without letting me know.

Tips for being Google-free:

• Don't sign into Google on your phone during setup
• Don't access any Google services from your phone (signing in one place will sign in everywhere)
• Create a burner Google account if you need to download any applications
• Burner phone (+ leave your civilian phone at the office or at home)
• Use a seperate browser on your computer and take the same precations to be Google-free in that browser

It's one thing if your SO low-jacks you, they put in the work. It's another thing to low-jack yourself.
I'm guessing many hobbyists have been killed by this section

The web browser - security by obscurity
Use another browser for the hobby, keep the shortcuts off the desktop and apps section.
Frankly, I'll outline below how to clear your history, etc. but it's just easier if you're not intermingling the data.
Also, if someone is snoopy - they'll tend to trove through your personal browser first, which is super-suspicious when there's no history in there.

I use Brave - it's privacy forward, built on Chromium and looks just like Chrome when I'm using it.
Again. Do not sign into Google from this browser...

Using Private Browsing / Incognito is good - but we can do better.

Clearing data on close on the desktop
Brave has a nice option for clearing browser data anytime the browser is closed.

This can be found at:
Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data > On Exit

From there you can select your History / Downloads / Cookies etc. to wipe on close.
It's a little annoying to have to re-sign into everything, but I suggest clearing cookies as well which will wipe your sessions on sites like TERB.

This will clear browsing data - but you'll notice that open tabs will still open on browser re-open.
To clear these you can go to:
Get Started > On Startup > and select 'New Tab'

Clearing data on close on mobile
On mobile, I also use Brave as a browser, for similar reasons to above (I use an Android device).

It also has the ability to clear data on browser close.
You can set this by going to: Brave Shields & Privacy > toggle Clear Data on Exit

The problem with this - is when the app is considered 'Exited' on Android.
As long as something is available as a background processes (in the multi-tasking drawer) Brave won't consider itself 'exited'.
If you follow this guide to limit background processes and select 'No background processes', the browser won't be kept as a multi-tasking app.
https://www.gadgetsnow.com/how-to/h...ground-process-limit/articleshow/70557178.cms

Bonus: Notifications
I generally disable all notifications.
If you need notifications you can selectively disable them based on application (SMS / WhatsApp / etc.).
I just personally find there's more room for error in case you miss something, so I disable them and check everything manually.

Also, just highly recommend using a burner you don't keep at home.

Bonus: Locking apps on mobile
I always recommend wiping your text / call log on your burner device between uses, but what if you forgot?
There's a tool called 'AppLock - Fingerprint' by SpSoft which I like because it allows you to lock your applications, but also pop up an error screen as if the app had crashed.
This is again good for security by obscurity since it doesn't seem like you have a blocking app installed.

 

[frodoshaggins]

The bit about disabling notifications is key. Very dangerous because you can't predict when they will pop up.

 

[Mishman527]

Great Info. Thank you.
Keep the burner in silent mode as well.

The only problem is how to pay the burner bill. That can be traced in credit card statements and so on.

 

[farquhar]

Great Info. Thank you.
Keep the burner in silent mode as well.

The only problem is how to pay the burner bill. That can be traced in credit card statements and so on.

Use Prepaid service. Prepaid Cell Service was designed specifically to allow you to have a phone on the Network without the need for Credit or a Credit Card.

I like to use Bell - simply because Bell will allow you to use any name or address you want on the account.

Go to the Bell store and buy the SIM; activate the SIM on Bell.ca; you can buy the Top-Ups with Cash from any Gas Station, Convenience Store, Grocery Store, or Pharmacy.

There is no Bill with Prepaid Service; and there is nothing to trace as you buy the Top-Ups with Cash.

Prepaid Cell Phones and Rate Plans | Mobility | Bell Canada

And if you don't want to hobby for a while, just let your Balance expire - Bell will simply Suspend your phone. If you want your Service reactivated, Top Up again within 90 days.

 

[SupahotGavin]

Samsung has a secure folder which becomes almost like a secret second phone with duplicate apps all available in the secured folder. You access via an app icon which can be changed to any name, so it can be disguised. It's a dream.

 

[Charlie_]

Don't send etransfers. Use cash, only.

 

[SchlongConery]

Don't send etransfers. Use cash, only.

Quoted for truth!

NEVER. Even if you don't think you have anything to hide. Things change.

 

[Bobbblitz004]

Don't send etransfers. Use cash, only.

No brainer advice here.

 

[Pir8pete2]

and for the ppl that call blocked/private -> https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjD1CnVp9xD/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

 

[explorerzip]

These are all good ideas at first glance, but not using Google services makes an Android phone near useless. Google Maps GPS won't work at all with location services disabled. At that point, you may as well use a flip /dumb phone that doesn't have internet on it and stick with paper maps.

Here are some other fairly simple things you can do to increase your privacy / security. I don't know if Iphones / Macs have similar settings.

1. Never leave your phone unattended even when going to the bathroom at home or work. Don't use it while on the toilet though because that's disgusting I am constantly surprised how many people leave their laptops, phone, keys, etc in public places. It only takes a second for stuff to disappear.
2. On most Android phones, there's a setting called Power Button instantly locks. As the name suggests, pressing the power button will instantly lock the screen.
3. Be careful with an Android feature called Smart Lock. It should be turned off by default, but it remembers places like home or work and keeps the phone unlocked for convenience.
4.There are a few different ways to deal with notifications on Android. You can disable them completely, or you can hide their contents on the lock screen. If you choose the latter option, you will still see notifications where they all say "contents hidden" on the lock screen.
4. Setup fingerprints / Touch ID / Face ID on your phone. You should also have a strong password too.
5. Lock the screen on your PC / Mac when you walk away instead of waiting for the screensaver to kick in. On Windows, you can quickly lock the screen by pressing the Windows key and L. The Windows key is between the CTRL and ALT keys and is on most PC keyboards. If you don't have a Windows key, it means you need to buy a new keyboard. On keyboards without a Windows key, press CTRL + ALT + DEL on the keyboard and there should be an option to Lock the screen.
6. This is a bit technical, but you can also use a password manager like 1Password, Lastpass, Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator. They all will keep your passwords for various sites and allow access using a single master password. As always, the security of such apps will depend on how good your master password is.
7. Setup 2 factor authentication. This is where the web-site / app will ask you for a pin that's sent to your phone, You must type the pin after your password. Just about all sites these days have 2 factor authentication. All banks should have 2 factor as does the CRA.

A burner Google account doesn't really help you because it also will keep track of your search and map history. Try using an alternative email account like Proton Mail, which is encrypted.

There are lots of alternatives Google Maps. One I like is called MapFactor Navigator that I use while travelling and don't have data access. There's a free and pro version and also has offline capabilities where you can download a region before you travel. The only issue with the app is that it does not say street names out loud like Google does. It only says something like: in 100 meters turn right, which isn't helpful when you're driving. You'll have to glance at the screen to know the street name. I don't think it maintains an online history like Google does, but you will have to clear your search history manually.

A burner phone is an interesting idea, but you have to store it somewhere. You can store it at work, but what happens if you get laid off or fired? Then you have to explain why you have an extra phone when they ship your stuff back to you.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Google Earth and Google Earth Pro are amazing.
What are your thoughts on using Google Earth and Google Earth Pro.

 

[lost-dude]

Your post is good to get some of the more basic "common sense" stuff out there. Delete your history, avoid revealing personal information, etc.

But one thing I'm curious about - pretty much every guy on this forum has a digital record of him "confessing" to hiring hookers. What's stopping the police from doing IP traces or whatever digital mumbo jumbo (I'm not a tech guy) to "bust" us? Like how hard is it to see a forum post, get the IP of the user, and then trace that IP to an actual home address, then knock-and-sieze at that address?

Or simply see the IP, and then subpoena Bell/Rogers/Fido/whoever to reveal who is registered on that IP.

 

[explorerzip]

Your post is good to get some of the more basic "common sense" stuff out there. Delete your history, avoid revealing personal information, etc.

But one thing I'm curious about - pretty much every guy on this forum has a digital record of him "confessing" to hiring hookers. What's stopping the police from doing IP traces or whatever digital mumbo jumbo (I'm not a tech guy) to "bust" us? Like how hard is it to see a forum post, get the IP of the user, and then trace that IP to an actual home address, then knock-and-sieze at that address?

Or simply see the IP, and then subpoena Bell/Rogers/Fido/whoever to reveal who is registered on that IP.

Theoretically, there's nothing stopping police from coming after a specific person. It's usually not practical in a legal or technical sense to pursue it for the majority of people. As far as I know, Terb's servers are outside of Canada. Local police would have to navigate a different country's data privacy laws to gain access to those servers and their contents. Then they would have to hunt those servers to find evidence that something criminal happened.

You'd basically need to be on their scope for other serious crimes like human trafficking, distributing or making child porn, drug trafficking, etc. to warrant that kind of attention.

 

[explorerzip]

Google Earth and Google Earth Pro are amazing.
What are your thoughts on using Google Earth and Google Earth Pro.

I don't see any reason to use Google Earth on your phone or PC because Maps does 99% of what you need. Maps is specifically made for navigating to an address with turn by turn directions. Google Earth does not have any way to give directions between 2 or more addresses.

 

[John_Jacob]

I like to use Bell - simply because Bell will allow you to use any name or address you want on the account.

Same for TELUS

 

[John_Jacob]

Your post is good to get some of the more basic "common sense" stuff out there. Delete your history, avoid revealing personal information, etc.

But one thing I'm curious about - pretty much every guy on this forum has a digital record of him "confessing" to hiring hookers. What's stopping the police from doing IP traces or whatever digital mumbo jumbo (I'm not a tech guy) to "bust" us? Like how hard is it to see a forum post, get the IP of the user, and then trace that IP to an actual home address, then knock-and-sieze at that address?

Or simply see the IP, and then subpoena Bell/Rogers/Fido/whoever to reveal who is registered on that IP.

'Cause as soon as you boot your computer, you're running a out of country VPN like NordVPN right?

 

[WoodPeckr]

I don't see any reason to use Google Earth on your phone or PC because Maps does 99% of what you need. Maps is specifically made for navigating to an address with turn by turn directions. Google Earth does not have any way to give directions between 2 or more addresses.

Have used Maps and it is useful in checking out the area an SP's incall etc is located to see how safe it looks. However Google Earth Pro seems to do a lot more with better magnification of areas you may want to scope out beforehand.

GEP lets you scope out many areas and cities all over the world. Not sure if Maps does this to the same extent. Also this tutorial below shows how you can get directions between 2 or more addresses using GEP at ~20:15 minutes into video below. GEP does much more than Maps but you have to learn how to use its many tools.

 

[explorerzip]

Have used Maps and it is useful in checking out the area an SP's incall etc is located to see how safe it looks. However Google Earth Pro seems to do a lot more with better magnification of areas you may want to scope out beforehand.

GEP lets you scope out many areas and cities all over the world. Not sure if Maps does this to the same extent. Also this tutorial below shows how you can get directions between 2 or more addresses using GEP at ~20:15 minutes into video below. GEP does much more than Maps but you have to learn how to use its many tools.

Both Google products allow you to zoom in all the way to street level. It's called Street View on both. Here's how it looks like in Maps. I don't think you can share links like the ones below from Google Earth.

Toronto

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

goo.gl

Hong Kong

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

goo.gl

The YouTube link you showed comes from the software that you have to download on to your computer. So that's a bunch of extra steps.

 

[DiscreetRocker]

This is a great thread.

I have a completely separate online identity for this whole world of fun. Absolutely no ties to my civilian life. I look forward to the day when it's widely accepted, legal, and destigmatized so it's understood that seeing an escort is as common as going to therapy or RMT. (Because let's be honest. More men probably visit escorts than go to therapy or RMT. And I've gone to all of the above.) But unless and until that day comes I plan to take these activities to my grave, having never mentioned them to anyone and having left no paper trail, digital or otherwise.

 

[tree!]

Haven't checked back on this in a while.

A burner phone is an interesting idea, but you have to store it somewhere. You can store it at work, but what happens if you get laid off or fired? Then you have to explain why you have an extra phone when they ship your stuff back to you.

You could also use a burner esim on your main phone and deactivate it when not in use.

As far as I know, Terb's servers are outside of Canada. Local police would have to navigate a different country's data privacy laws to gain access to those servers and their contents...

This is correct - at least up until 2014 (when it becomes harder to detect TERB's origin), the servers were located in the Netherlands (who aren't gonna give up any information).
At the end of the day the real answer is that in Canada the police generally don't care about men looking for age-appropriate, consensual companionship online.

Even in the case Moonwaiting whose proprietors were charged with human-trafficking, John's weren't investigated (hint: Moonwaiting was most-likely probably busted because of other offences [like the 30+ guns and millions in drugs they had], but LE used the prostitution as the in. Several former Moonwaiting SP's still work in the industry).

As someone else mentioned VPNs are also a viable option (especially if you're ever using a connection which isn't your own - like a work network for instance) to further obfuscate your traffic.
That's more if you're trying to keep private from someone on the local-network or ISP level which wasn't what I was thinking about originally.

I like to use Bell - simply because Bell will allow you to use any name or address you want on the account.

Same for TELUS

This is good to know, I set mine up at a Freedom mobile prepaid who also didn't check my ID (I didn't really care about using my real name for it though).